La Tour de Durefort
Hike through the Lavender fields of Provence
Climbing to over 1800m where you will reach the highlands where crops and lavender are grown. Offering an immense panorama over Sault and the surrounding area.
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What to bring
This walk can be found on IGN map 3240 OT
What to see
Sights in Provence
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Gorges de la Nesque, near Sault
The gorges de la Nesque is an impressive and wild canyon of around 12 kilometres in length, scoured out by the river at its bottom.
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Aroma Plantes lavender farm & distillery, Sault
This 80 hectare farm and distillery was originally created in 1978 and now welcomes visitors from around the world.
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Lavender farm & conservation garden, Sault
The lavender collection is certified by French National Conservatory for specialist plant collections, and is located on family land on the Route du Mont Ventoux, near the village.
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Chateau St Saturnin Les Apt
Built on a rocky bluff at 400 metres above sea level is the remains of a Medieval fortress which offers great views of the surrounding Vaucluse and Alpilles mountains.
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Mines de Bruoux, Apt
This area is well known for it's ochre pigment found in the soil, and a tour of the Mines de Bruoux show you the underground caverns that were created.
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Mathieu Lustrerie Museum, Gargas
This museum houses a collection of around 250 chandeliers and a large library and collection of photos dedicated to these wonderful pieces of art.
Where to lunch
Restaurants in Provence
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L'Epice & Love Restaurant
This is a popular place with both locals and travellers. It has a small cosy interior so if you want to dine there, best to get there earlier rather than later.
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Les Chenes Verts Restaurant, Tourtour
This Michelin starred restaurant is situated on the outskirts of Tourtour and specialise in truffle dishes.
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Cote Sud Restaurant, Uchaux
The Cote Sud has a charming sophisticated interior and includes a lovely terrace where you can enjoy your food when the weather is warm enough.
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La Vache a Carreaux Restaurant
This small restaurant is on the Rue Peyrollerie, a winding alley just off the Place St Pierre. It is a great option for vegetarians, offering a wide variety of cheese dishes and salads but there are also fish dishes available.
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L'Autruche Restaurant
Small restaurant where you will never eat the same thing twice. Their menu is solely based on what good fresh ingredients the local market has to offer in the mornings.
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La Cour d'Honneur Restaurant
Located right in the centre of Avignon on a well known shopping street is La Cour d'Honneur.
What to do
Things To Do in Provence
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Aqualand Waterpark, Sainte Maxime
This is probably the most family orientated waterpark on the Cote d'Azur. With several friendly slides, a fun pool, food and drinks, ice creams, and shopping all at hand.
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Nyonsoleiado Waterpark, Nyons
Waterpark complex that contains a lagoon, 25m pool, whirlpool basin, waterslides for children and adults, cascades of water, rivers, paddling pools and much more.
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Wave Island Waterpark, Monteux
This huge waterpark covers an area of 4.7 hectares and includes a surf simulator, waterslides and a river feature called river land.
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Domaine Le Sagittaire Waterpark, Nyons
In the depths of the Drôme countryside in the French Provence, this 5 Star Residential Campsite comes complete with an entirely heated Aquatic Complex, which is open to the public.
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Aqualand Waterpark, St Cyr Sur Mer
Aqualand in St Cyr Sur Mer offer you 11 wicked slides in a great park environment with drinks, food, and shops for you to enjoy.
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Aqualand Waterpark, Frejus
With numerous slides, including the King Cobra - unique is western Europe - this is the largest waterpark on the Cote d'Azur! Inludes a rest area, show area, clockroom, fast food, grill and pizzeria, ice creams, drinks, and shop.
Where to stay
Cycling Hotels in Provence
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Villa Champ Signoret B&B, Malaucene
Located just 2 kilometres north of the village of Malaucene, this charming B&B has great views of the surrounding mountains and countryside.
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Domaine de Pierravon B&B, Bedoin
This fortified farmhouse has been converted into a lovely B&B not far from Bedoin village centre.
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La Garance Hotel, Bedoin
Set in a renovated farmhouse surrounded by vineyards and olive trees, the hotel has 16 bedrooms with a choice between queen-size or twin beds.
Price: €979
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L'Escapade Hotel, Bedoin
Located in a charming small village, with free parking and bike storage.
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Lou Cardalines B&B, near Bedoin
Set in a traditional Provencal building, and carefully renovated, Lou Cardalines offers two guest houses with direct garden or terrace access.
Price: €667
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Le Grand Jas B&B, near Sault
This B&B has unbroken views of the mighty Mont Ventoux and is decorated with a charming mix of old and new fixtures and fittings.
Directions
Head south from the hamlet of Saint-Jean-de-Durefort just south of Sault. Leaving the hamlet on the D230 turn towards the hamlet of Jas, then after 100m take the left on the grassy path lined with trees. 300m along this path you will reach a curve, go to the right on the path that goes up the Combe-Crau ravine. When the trail starts to swing to the right, stay in the same direction on the path which gets narrower. The path becomes very shady then reaches an intersection.At the intersection take the road to the right for 200m then take the road to the left, in the direction of Champ-Long.
Follow the path to the north and walk among the fields of fodder, cereals and lavender. From here you can see Mont Ventoux and the Albion plateau.
Continue straight past the La Peine farm swinging slightly to the left. Leave the path to the right and continue straight along past the La Tour farm on your left. At the fork keep a south west direction following the path in the middle of the grass. After a flat period you will start to head downhill back towards your starting point in the hamlet of Saint-Jean.